4 Special Blessings of a Home-Centered, Church-Supported Gospel Learning

This year, 2019, the new home centered, church-supported approach to gospel learning begins. This new way of studying and learning about the gospel can help deepen conversion and testimony, and help individuals and families see everyday opportunities to learn from the scriptures. This special change – although it could be new and challenging for some – can bring remarkable blessings to families if followed consistently. Here are five important blessings of this new gospel learning approach.

Helps families become more spiritually self-reliant

Spiritual self-reliance is an important part of our efforts to become like the Savior. When we are spiritually self-reliant, we do not depend on another’s testimony – we seek opportunities to build it. When we become more self-reliant spiritually, we begin to look for spiritual experiences through prayer, scripture study, and service. When we have a strong testimony of the gospel, we know where to turn when we encounter problems – the Lord. We also become more effective at helping others in times of spiritual need. Imagine what a family can do if they – individually and collectively – are spiritually self-reliant.

Learning the scriptures, knowing more about Jesus Christ, understanding Heavenly Father’s plan as a family can bless the testimonies of each family member. A spiritually self-reliant family is what the Lord needs in these latter days filled with corruption and immorality, and spiritual self-reliance is what a family needs to combat the temptations of today. Elder Boyd K. Packer warned “If we lose our emotional and spiritual self-reliance, we can be weakened quite as much, perhaps even more, than when we become dependent materially.” As you study with your families, you become more spiritually self-reliant, you become better prepared for the challenges of these latter-days.

Helps families combat the effects of social media

When a Pathway student was asked about the benefits of regular 30-minute conversations without social media interruption,, she said it strengthened her friendship with her Pathway partner. Imagine what regular scripture study – without social media interruption – could do for your family. One of the blessings of the home-centered, church-supported gospel learning approach is improved family relationships. When a family gathers together to learn the gospel, and to hear insights and impressions from each other, negative feelings are alleviated and the needs of members of the family are identified. Spending time with your family can also increase understanding for each member of the family.

Helps children recognize the spirit at a younger age

These children sent here to earth are valiant individuals – the temptations they face are more difficult, and they face them at a younger age. One of the best ways to help children and youth face temptations, and triumph over the adversary is to help them recognize the spirit at a young age. This important gospel skill can help them discern what’s right and wrong, stand for truth and righteousness, build their testimonies, find answers to their prayers, and know where to turn when they are bombarded by challenges. Like learning a new language, or a new skill, recognizing the spirit comes with practice. As we “talk of Christ, rejoice in Christ, preach of Christ, and prophesy of Christ” in the home, we help our children and youth learn how to hear and heed the promptings of the Holy Ghost. As you teach, learn, and bear your testimony together as a family, children can learn to recognize their own spiritual experiences.

Helps Make Families Ready for Latter-day Challenges

In these latter days, the adversary’s biggest target is the family. President Boyd K. Packer remarked “We live in a very dangerous world that threatens those things that are most spiritual. The family, the fundamental organization in time and eternity, is under attack from forces seen and unseen. The adversary is about. His objective is to cause injury. If he can weaken and destroy the family, he will have succeeded.” One of the most effective ways to protect the family from the onslaught of temptations is to go back to the basics – family prayer and family scripture study. With this great shift – making the home a place for gospel learning – comes the blessing of strengthened families. As individual family members’ testimonies of the Savior are strengthened, the family will be able to withstand the trials and temptations coming their way.

The Family Can Draw Closer to the Savior

As homes “transform into a sanctuary of faith” through this home-centered, church-supported gospel learning approach, the family can “build faith in Heavenly Father and His plan of salvation and in the Savior Jesus Christ and His Atonement.” As parents and children talk more of Christ, they can draw closer to Him, and truly know Him and not just about Him.

This new approach – one of the biggest changes in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints – can bring “remarkable blessings” to the family. May all of us take this revelation to heart and learn with our families. By doing so, we can indeed see miracles within our individual lives and our families.

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Commitment to our highest priority﻿—to love and serve God﻿—requires that we look to His law for our standard of behavior. For example, we remain under divine command not to commit adultery or fornication even when those acts are no longer crimes under the laws of the states or countries where we reside. Similarly, laws legalizing so-called “same-sex marriage” do not change God’s law of marriage or His commandments and our standards concerning it. We remain under covenant to love God and keep His commandments and to refrain from serving other gods and priorities﻿—even those becoming popular in our particular time and place.

In this determination we may be misunderstood, and we may incur accusations of bigotry, suffer discrimination, or have to withstand invasions of our free exercise of religion. If so, I think we should remember our first priority﻿—to serve God﻿—and, like our pioneer predecessors, push our personal handcarts forward with the same fortitude they exhibited. — Dallin H Oaks

Satan is the father of all lies, especially when it comes to misrepresentations about our own divine nature and purpose. Thinking small about ourselves does not serve us well. Instead it holds us back. As we’ve often been taught, “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” We can stop comparing our worst to someone else’s best. “Comparison is the thief of joy.”

In contrast, the Lord assures us that when we have virtuous thoughts, He will bless us with confidence, even the confidence to know who we really are. There’s never been a more crucial time to heed His words. “Let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly,” He said. “Then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and … the Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion.” — Joy D. Jones

"Now, if you have stepped off the path, may I invite you with all the hope in my heart to please come back. Whatever your concerns, whatever your challenges, there is a place for you in this, the Lord’s Church. You and generations yet unborn will be blessed by your actions now to return to the covenant path. Our Father in Heaven cherishes His children, and He wants each of us to return home to Him. This is a grand goal of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints﻿—to help each of us to come back home." — President Russell M Nelson

I used to be that typical teenager who gives my parents headache, letting them worry what time I will be coming home, where am I and who am I with. I used to hang out with friends and do things that I thought before, was the definition of happiness.

When I was about to graduate from college, I experienced how it felt to be lost, scared, and sad for no exact reason. I got tired of feeling helpless until one day I decided to go back to church and from there I started reading the Book of Mormon, attend church activities and institute classes. I was called to be a primary teacher, a ward missionary and a YSA representative.

I have felt the security that I've been looking for by obeying God's commandments and serving His people. I have felt pure joy. I have felt the love and welcoming arms of our Heavenly Father and His son, our Savior Jesus Christ.

It just feels great being honest with your own mistakes. As a result of acknowledging this, we grow in faith and we begin to change how we think and do. Despite the wrong turns I made, my Savior was there to lift me up. I've learned that many times God doesn't reveal things to you until you become obedient.

He knows that transitioning from the past habits is never easy. I just had to take one small steps each time going towards Him. The closer I get, the more I realize I didn't want to fall back to my old ways. I realized that He had put the rules in place not to punish us, but to protect us.

Sin is one small step after another that takes us away from God. But our Father loves us so much that He made a way out. He gave us His Son to atone for the debts we can never pay. He wants only the best for us and that is, a life full of joy.

Alma the Younger gave me hope that it doesn't matter who you used to be but what matters is who and what you're becoming through the help of Jesus Christ. The Gospel has truly changed not only my life but also the people around me. I am blessed to understand the Plan of Happiness and I want to do my best to invite others to come and know for themselves that this church is true.

- Bianca Mangiliman
Bicutan Ward, Taguig Philippines Stake
Called to serve in Utah, St. George Mission

When I received my mission call, some of my friends shouted for joy. I share with them the same feeling and I'm happy to serve a full-time mission and represent Jesus Christ.

I'm excited to invite others to come unto Christ, teach them the importance of repentance and share them the blessings of the Atonement. I also know that families can be together forever and I'd love to share that message to all the world.

I'm assigned to labor in Korea Seoul South Mission. I always remind myself that it's not where you serve but how you serve the people in that place. I always have that wonderful feeling in my heart for the people in South Korea. I admit that I'm hooked with some Korean TV series and other shows ever since it became a trend.

I know that blessings will come to me and to my family as I "go where He wants me to go and do what He wants me to do". I know the Lord won't forget us. Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love us. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the true church. I know the Book of Mormon and the restored gospel can change you to become better. 사랑해요

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